Political and Civil rights.

1) The UK is a representative democracy- the people elect representatives (Members of parliament or MP's) to make the decisions that affect everyone. We vote to elect a national government every 5 years or so.

2) Since 1969, everyone over 18 has the right to vote. (There are a few exceptions, e.g. many prisoners can't vote.) This is sometimes called universal suffrage.1

Universal- Everyone's treated the same

Suffrage- The right to vote

During the 19th and 20th centuries groups campaigned for this right. Their protests eventually reformed the electoral system.

Towards the end of the 17th century, parliament took control from the monarchy. Before that, the UK was an absolute monarchy- the King or Queen had all power.